The political climate is heating up here in New York as Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton prepare to duke it out Thursday night in Brooklyn. So what can we expect when they take center stage for their debate later this week? Political analyst and Sanders supporter Nomiki Konst joins Mike Morey, a Clinton backer and the former communications director for New York Senator Chuck Schumer, for a preview of the much anticipated debate.
The gloves have been off for quite some time, and as the New York primary campaign wages on, there’s little suggestion the tides will change. Indeed, Texas Senator and Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz’s first appearance in the city was met with jeering and heckling. Even Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. had words for the candidate, calling him a “hypocrite.” He explains his position with us. Next, the remarkable life of baseball legend Jackie Robinson is the focus of Ken Burns latest series airing tonight on PBS. Years since the baseball luminary’s passing, he continues to excite public fascination, but for those who actually lived this history firsthand, it left an indelible mark. Media legend Larry King shares what it was like to witness Robinson take to the field for the first time. Finally, anyone who has visited Central Park knows it’s not just a walk in any old park, but a 750-acre nature oasis in the middle of a bustling metropolis. Well, tune in tonight and prepare to explore the city parks that have transformed the face of our country. The PBS and WTTW series 10 That Changed America transports viewers to the public spaces that have influenced the way we live, work, and play. Of course, Central Park and the High Line get their 15 minutes and for good reason.

Anyone who has visited Central Park knows it’s not just a walk in any old park, but a 750-acre nature oasis in the middle of a bustling metropolis. Well, tune in tonight and prepare to explore the city parks that have transformed the face of our country. The PBS and WTTW series 10 That Changed America transports viewers to the public spaces that have influenced the way we live, work, and play. Of course, Central Park and the High Line get their 15 minutes and for good reason.

As the New York state primary inches closer and closer, many are talking about the possibility of a brokered convention with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan ascending to the GOP nomination. But could it really be John Kasich for president with Marco Rubio as his vice president? That’s how Seth Abramson, a political contributor at The Huffington Post and an assistant professor at the University of New Hampshire sees it, and he thinks the writing’s on the wall. The presidential candidates have continued campaigning in New York as the state approaches the critically important primaries — now just eight days away. Republican candidate Donald Trump has a sizeable double digit lead heading into next week’s Empire State vote, with thousands turning out for the billionaire businessman’s rallies. But is he starting to lose momentum? New York State Assemblyman Bill Nojay, a Republican and the co-chair for the Trump campaign in the state, has a look at the GOP race. Next, Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play Major League Baseball – a milestone in U.S. history that preceded the Civil Rights movement in the 50s and 60s. In anticipation of “Jackie Robinson,” a Ken Burns two-part documentary on the baseball icon (airing on PBS April 11 and 12), we look back at a conversation sportscaster Len Berman had with Rachel Robinson, Jackie Robinson’s widow. Finally, have you heard of The Door? Maybe not, but for thousands of young people here in New York City, the organization represents a lifeline and alternative to living on the streets. Executive Director Julie Shapiro and Ely Olivero, who was once homeless and turned her life around with help from the non-profit, talk about how The Door is opening many doors for marginalized young adults and teenagers in the city.

Have you heard of The Door? Maybe not, but for thousands of young people here in New York City, the organization represents a lifeline and alternative to living on the streets. Executive Director Julie Shapiro and Ely Olivero, who was once homeless and turned her life around with help from the non-profit, talk about how The Door is opening many doors for marginalized young adults and teenagers in the city.

If you’re losing sleep over this election, we may have a remedy. In part one of our interview with Arianna Huffington, the founder of The Huffington Post and author of the new book The Sleep Revolution, the media mogul shares her views on the upcoming presidential election. Most New Yorkers have experienced a train delay that completely derails their day. […]

Most New Yorkers have experienced a train delay that completely derails their day. Indeed, New York Magazine traced how a single mechanical failure on October 6th, 2015 sparked 625 delays in a day, igniting the longest logistical nightmare the MTA had all of last year. And it’s been predicted it’s only going to get worse this year.

We talk to community activist, filmmaker and public speaker Brendan Fay about the long struggle for the LGBT community to be included in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Michael Waldman, author of “The Fight to Vote,” joins us to talk about his book on the history of every American’s right to be heard at the ballot box. MetroFocus Host Jenna Flanagan takes us to Poughkeepsie to meet a group of residents who are pushing back against their local utility company’s alleged illegal collection practices. We speak with the filmmakers behind a new documentary that showcases the fight to save Jamaica Bay.

After 25 years, members of the LGBT community received the green light to march openly in this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Community activist, filmmaker and public speaker Brendan Fay walks us through the long struggle for inclusion in this city tradition.

The stretch of 8th Street between Third Avenue and Avenue A is known as St. Marks Place, which has served as the backdrop to music videos and artworks throughout the decades. Ada Calhoun, author of ‘St. Marks is Dead,’ examines the history of this iconic area and why its days–as it is–may be numbered.

Funders

MetroFocus is made possible by James and Merryl Tisch, the Anderson Family Fund, Judy and Josh Weston, Bernard and Irene Schwartz, the Sylvia A. and Simon B. Poyta Programming Endowment to Fight Anti-Semitism, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, the Cheryl and Philip Milstein Family, The Dorothy Schiff Endowment for News and Public Affairs Programming, Jody and John Arnhold, Rosalind P. Walter, the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation, Laura and Jim Ross, and Shailaja and Umesh Nagarkatte.